The Church of Mask

The church of Mask, also known as the Circle of the Gray Ribbon, is the collective of individuals across the Realms that venerate Mask, the Lord of Shadows and Faerûnian god of trickery and deceit. While the church is viewed by many as mere scatterings of thieves and charlatans, the Maskarran faith is of the wealthiest churches in all Faerûn. They manage to achieve this feat despite operating primarily beyond the reach of lawfulness and in the shadows of civilized society.
“Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes of you an easy target.”
— Excerpt of the Maskarran dogma.

Structure

Mask's collective church is separated into individual priesthoods, each of operate independently in cities across Faerûn. These autonomous entities carry out unrelated operations to ensure thieves of different guilds do not interfere with neighboring enterprises. In these cities where multiple guilds conduct business within close proximity of each another, holy sites of Mask are considered neutral territory for everyone involved.
The extensive network of the Maskarran church comprises countless regional organizations and independent operators. Information and secrets flow freely between various parties only to the extent that head clergy members deem necessary. Their direction allow church operations to best align with the ever-shifting landscape of religious and governmental politics.
Titles
Maskarran clergy members are known colloquially as Darkfingers, but refer to each other as Brother/Sister Shadow regardless of their ranks.
Titles held by Maskarran clergy include:

• Lord/Lady Master, the leader of a given temple.
• Hidden Ones, high priests of the church.
• Master Brother/Sister
• Veteran Brother/Sister
• Proven Brother/Sister
• Unproven, novices within the church.

Tenets of Faith

Mask's followers believed that any events that occurred "within shadow" fell under his domain.
Maskarran clergy held a dynamic view of property rights and ownership of belongings. A individual or organization only held right of possession over assets so long as they remained in their physical possession.

• Attitudes

“Wealth rightfully belongs to those who can acquire it...Honesty is for fools but apparent honesty is a very valuable thing.”
— Excerpt of the charge taken by Mask's Unproven.
Subtlety, caution, and discretion are virtuous held in the highest concern by the church. The ability to gain an edge over other with poised articulation―often utilizing feigned platitude―is considered a mark of distinction among clergy members. Integrity however is always maintained when working alongside other members of the church. Exemplary priests of Masks dutifully fulfill the objectives proposed to their superiors within the church, even if numerous attempts were required for success.

Sects

While the church of Mask sponsors no knightly orders, a number of its more daring and calculating members join the Circle of the Gray Ribbon.
The Night Masks of Westgate were one of the numerous thieves' guilds of Faerûn that considered Mask as their patron deity. Yet others like the Shadow Thieves of Amn, merely venerated the Lord of Shadows in name only.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Deities

• Mask

Divines

• Mask

Related Traditions

• Liar's Night

Notable Members

• Raeth Dundragon

Related Plots

• Just Another Name in the Dead Book